Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was named Mississippi’s ACT Career Preparedness Exemplar for the 2016-2017 ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign. As the state’s exemplar, MGCCC will compete at a national level to become a National Semifinalist. Then, a National Selection Committee comprised of national education and workforce leaders will choose one semifinalist per category to make up four National Exemplars.

“ACT is the leading college-admissions-testing company in the United States, so being recognized by this company as a state leader in preparing students for college and careers says a lot about MGCCC,” said Dr. Mary S. Graham, MGCCC president. “Our goal is to provide students the opportunities and resources to succeed, whether they’re preparing for a college-admissions or a career-certification test, transferring to a four-year institution of higher learning or seeking employment in their chosen career field.”

Established in 2013, the annual ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign celebrates achievement and creates awareness around the goal of college and career readiness for all. ACT developed the campaign to shine a light on the individuals and institutions doing more with less, overcoming personal or community obstacles, and serving as examples to others working to improve the condition of college and career readiness for all.

The campaign identifies exemplars in each of four categories—students, high schools, postsecondary institutions and employers—for each participating state. MGCCC was selected from a group of applicants for the state’s ACT Career Preparedness Award and, ultimately, state exemplar designation by the state ACT Council.

“Each year we are proud to recognize exemplary students, high schools, postsecondary institutions and employers working to advance the condition of college and career readiness in their communities,” said Scott Montgomery, ACT senior vice president of Public Affairs. “The individuals and groups named ACT state exemplars demonstrate perseverance and innovative thinking in the face of adversity, and serve as examples to others working to improve college and career readiness for all.”

National Exemplars, along with all state exemplars and semifinalists, will be honored at an ACT recognition event in late fall 2017 in Iowa City, Iowa.